GB2426675A

GB2426675A - Modular system of electronic assemblies worn close to the body

Info

Publication number: GB2426675A
Application number: GB0609786A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hans Matthiessen; Henning Gerder; Frank Sattler
Original assignee: Draeger Safety AG and Co KGaA
Current assignee: Draeger Safety AG and Co KGaA
Priority date: 2005-05-24
Filing date: 2006-05-17
Publication date: 2006-11-29
Anticipated expiration: 2026-05-17
Also published as: GB2426675B; DE102005024450B3; GB0609786D0; US20060270471A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular system of electronic assemblies (4,6) worn close to the body, which electronic assemblies can be coupled to a common bus system (1), comprising at least one control unit which is so designed that it is able to perform a master function in relation to further electronic assemblies which are coupled in, electronic assemblies which are coupled to the common bus system being put into operation automatically if a configuration of assemblies, which complies with a predefined minimum configuration, is coupled to the bus. Applications include firefighting and the like. Inductive interfaces (5,7) may be used to couple the assemblies to the bus.

Description

2426675

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Modular system of electronic assemblies worn close to the body and method of putting the system into operation

The invention relates to a modular system of electronic assemblies worn close to the body which can be linked in via a bus system, and to a method of putting the system into operation.

In certain cases, it may be necessary or desirable for various electronic devices or assemblies to be carried along directly on the body and if necessary to be operated at the same time. Examples are to be found in the sporting and leisure areas and equally in professional applications. Particularly operational personnel belonging to the technical emergency services such as fire brigades or the like are kitted out with numerous electronic devices whose operation is in some cases important to their survival, without it being possible for any special attention to be paid to their operation in critical situations.

The large number of electronic devices with which operational personnel are kitted out often all have to be supplied with energy and all need to be able to communicate with one another electronically.

It is known for electronic components to be incorporated in clothing (US 6,729,025 B2), by which means the individual components are kept available, in principle, to the wearer of the clothing.

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It is also known for many electronic assemblies which are worn close to the body to be connected to a central bus system in order to enable communication to be implemented between the individual assemblies (DE 101 20 775 A1).

The attractiveness of such systems is determined essentially by their maximum period in operation, which depends on the capacity of the energy store means available and the demand which the system has for energy.

In some of the many operations which are required for servicing, configuring or putting into operation conventional systems there lurks a high risk of errors, which may be a disadvantage, particular in situations in which there is not much time available.

The present invention is as claimed in the claims.

Embodiments of the present invention provides a system which makes it possible, with little cost or complication, for a plurality of electronic components worn close to the body to be caused to communicate with one another or to be supplied with energy, which system can be applied and put into operation with little cost or complication and is notable for having a low energy consumption.

What is meant by wearing close to the body is, for the purposes of the invention, at least a carrying along of items of equipment in which there is a clear correlation in space of the items of equipment with individual wearers.

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Outside the times of operation, the electronic assemblies are, preferably, largely switched off. In this way, power consumption is reduced.

The common bus system may be radio-assisted and/or may include a conductor system.

In cases where the electronic assemblies communicate with one another by RF communication, the individual assemblies may advantageously be kept in a sleep mode outside the times of operation and at regular intervals of time may be set briefly to receive to check whether the associated master module, i.e. the control unit, is transmitting. If the control unit is not transmitting, the individual modules drop back into the sleep mode. If transmission by the control unit can be identified, a response is made in accordance with a bus protocol and a wait is then made until the master has checked whether all the assemblies which belong to a minimum configuration which has been laid down are connected to the bus system, or in other words have reported, for example within a time-span which is agreed under the bus protocol. The electronic assemblies are advantageously provided with an identifier, which may for example be stored in an ID tag.

If this condition is not met, the entire system drops back into the sleep mode. After some time, the master module again checks which modules belonging to the system are present. When they are all present, the entire modular system goes into operation.

The initiation of this check on completeness can be performed regularly and automatically by the master module. In particular applications, it may be advantageous if entry into operation can be compelled by the pressing of a key.

The energy consumption of the electronic assemblies is appreciably reduced by the sleep mode in the event of non-operation, which for example allows operational personnel a long period in the standby state.

A component which completes the minimum configuration which is necessary for an automatic entry into operation may, in the simplest case, be a personal RFID tag belonging to a wearer of equipment. After an operation, as a result of the removal of an important equipment module, such as the personal ID tag for example, the system is notified by means of the next check on completeness that operation is to be terminated. All the modules change back again to the sleep mode.

It is advantageous if a definition takes place of what modules are associated with the particular individual bus system of a wearer. A configuring of the system of this kind may be performed in RF-based systems by what is termed an imprinting operation. For this purpose, the identities of all the electronic assemblies which are present are detected and are stored in a check file by the control unit during an imprinting step, in an environment in which it is certain that only the modules belonging to the individual bus system are transmitting with, or can be identified by, a sufficiently strong signal. After this, only modules whose identifier is stored in the check file will be accessed over the bus system. In this way, collisions with neighbouring radio-assisted systems, such as can be expected in for example fire brigade operations involving a plurality of operational personnel, will be avoided.

In the case of individual equipment which has a fixed allocation to a person, this configuring and imprinting can take place once in the equipment centre. Then, in

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operation, the system according to the invention only goes into operation automatically when in the configured makeup. If the makeup of the equipment changes on site, the makeup which has been selected at the time can be configured on site and in this way imprinted for one another by people for the particular operation. If necessary this can be done in an environment which is at least provisionally screened.

If certain items of equipment are, basically, always to be used together and others are to be added to them as desired on site from a pool of equipment, then the configuring and imprinting may also be performed in two stages, in which case a distinction can be made between the items of equipment which have to be present in the system and those which may be added to it as options.

Modules with a fixed allocation to a person which are absolutely required are provided once with an unchangeable identifier, in the control centre, for example. After that, they contain an ID code which makes it clear that the module concerned is a mandatory one which has a fixed allocation to a given bus system.

Mandatory modules which do not have a fixed allocation to a single bus system may first be provided with an unchangeable identifier to mark them as mandatory modules.

Optional modules are advantageously provided with a code which controls the permission to participate in communication on the bus. This may also include electrically passive items of equipment such as helmets, masks or item of equipment marked with ID tags.

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For use in operations protocols, the configurational information is transmitted to the control centre, preferably by means of a communications device, and is stored there together with the time and duration of the operation.

For operation under a protocol of this kind, it may also be advantageous for important non-electrical items of equipment to be equipped with RFID tags and to be detected as well during a configuring operation.

It may also be advantageous for an inductively coupled bus system to be used. With inductively coupled bus systems the procedure can, basically, be exactly the same, the problem of the power supply being easier to solve as a rule because the power supply can also be switched in from a central energy supply via the bus system. In a particularly simple embodiment, it is enough for a sleep mode to be implemented only for the master module, because the other components can be put into operation automatically by the switching on of the power supply. When this is the case, the master module, being the control unit, is in the sleep mode outside the period in operation, and is woken from this mode at regular intervals of time, supplies the bus which is connected, which may possibly not have a full complement of modules, with energy inductively and thus switches on the modules which are connected as well. The master module then checks for the completeness of the equipment under the rules already described, the power supply being at once switched off again, and the master module dropping back into the sleep mode, if completeness does not exist.

In may in turn be advantageous if the check for completeness can be compelled to occur immediately by means of an additional button, on the master module for example.

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In addition, it may be indicated on a display what the degree of completeness of the modular system is or what modules are still missing. This indication may advantageously also be shown in the control centre if there is an appropriate channel of communication.

With an inductively coupled bus system, the imprinting of the bus configuration is appreciably easier because of the shorter range. For this procedure, it is merely necessary to stay a little way away from other equipment similarly kitted out.

The invention can be implemented in various ways. One possibility is a method for putting into operation a modular system of electronic assemblies worn close to the body in which the control unit, which is so designed that it can perform a master function in relation to other electronic assemblies, is connected to the common bus system and checks whether other electronic assemblies worn close to the body are coupled to the common bus system, detects the electronic assemblies which are coupled in and compares them with a minimum configuration which has been laid down, after which the electronic assemblies coupled to the bus system are put into operation if at least those electronic assemblies which belong to the minimum configuration are coupled to the common bus system. The detection mentioned of the electronic assemblies coupled to the common bus system may take place cyclically, and in addition or alternatively if a further electronic assembly is coupled to the common bus system. As a function of the detection which takes place of the electronic assemblies coupled to the common bus system, the said electronic assemblies are put out of operation if, as a result of the uncoupling of at least one electronic assembly, the minimum configuration is no longer coupled in in complete form.

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The invention may be implemented in an advantageous way if the electronic assemblies worn close to the body can be linked in to a central supply module, there being included at least one textile-supported supply line which runs to inductive interfaces to which the further supply lines or electronic assemblies, which likewise have at least one inductive interface, are able to be coupled. In this advantageous embodiment, the modular system further comprises at least one portable supply module which has an energy-supply unit and a control unit, the control unit once again being so designed that it is able to perform a master function in relation to other electronic assemblies which are coupled in. The portable supply module also has at least one inductive interface and via this inductive interface can be coupled to the textile-supported supply line in a way which makes possible the supply of energy to the electronic assemblies by the energy supply unit contained in the portable supply module.

Because of the supply of energy via inductive interfaces, plug-in contacts become unnecessary, as a result of which a high degree of safety against sparks is obtained, which is a major advantage for use in an environment where there is a risk of explosion. Where suitable, it is advantageous for use to be made of inexpensive inductive interfaces of the kind which are available in the form of circuits for scanning tyre pressures for example.

It is particularly useful if the portable supply module is equipped in addition with a radio unit which is designed for a link to other mobile or stationary units. Operational personnel who are kitted out with a modular system of this kind are able to communicate with one another in this way.

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What is more, assemblies or electronic devices which are certainly intended to be carried along but whose positioning at a given point on the body is not of any importance may also be accommodated in the portable supply module. In this way, it may be advantageous if the portable supply module comprises a telemetry unit which is so designed that it makes it possible for the wearer of the modular system according to the invention to be located in hazardous situations. The energy supply to the assemblies accommodated in the portable supply module advantageously takes place via a direct connection to the energy supply unit.

It is particularly advantageous if the textile-supported supply line is not only used to supply energy to the individual electronic assemblies but transmission of data between the electronic assemblies and the central supply module may take place as well via the textile-supported line. This may for example be accomplished in practical terms if the portable supply module and at least one further electronic assembly can be coupled to the textile-supported supply line via at least one inductive interface each, in a way which makes possible on the one hand the transmission of data between the control unit and the further electronic assembly and on the other hand the supply of energy to the electronic assembly by the energy supply unit contained in the portable supply module. The textile-supported supply line is then a component of the bus system according to the invention. What is advantageous is implementation in the form of a ring-bus.

The implementation of the bus will not be gone into in detail here. The techniques employed are basically known. The transmission of energy takes place by means of, for example, a 0-1 sequence on the bus which is emitted by the main battery or a bus

master. For the transmission of signals, the signals are modulated (attenuated) by the users of the bus in accordance with a bus telegram. The bus users are connected in this case, via the inductive interfaces, to bus drivers which respectively carry out the modulation of the signal sequence (at the time of transmission) and the reception (by demodulation) of the signal transmitted over the bus.

There may be a plurality of primary coils arranged in parallel or in series or in a mixture of the two at the bus master. It is also possible for two or more inductive interfaces to be connected in series.

There may be included in addition electronic assemblies which require inductive interfaces and the textile-supported supply line only for the supply of energy to them and which, on the other hand, communicate or exchange data with the control unit via, for example, RF interfaces.

When there are additional interfaces present, the system according to the invention can be combined without any problems with further electronic assemblies which have a decentralised energy supply unit of their own. These further interfaces may for example be designed as capacitive, conductive or radio-based interfaces. In this way, assemblies can be incorporated which do not have an inductive interface but are able to be quickly adapted for certain applications. Flexible systems of high compatibility can be put together in this way.

What are also particularly advantageous are hybrid systems having inductive interfaces, which have decentralised energy supply units which comprise chargeable energy

sources, such as storage batteries for example. In phases in which the central supply module and a further electronic assembly having a decentralised chargeable energy supply unit are coupled to the textile-supported supply line via inductive interfaces, charging may take place of the decentralised energy supply units. In this way, the operation of the electronic assemblies equipped with decentralised energy supply units is safeguarded for a certain period even when the central supply module is not available. This may for example be of advantage if the central supply module needs to be replaced in critical situations.

The portable supply module may advantageously be part of the items of equipment belonging to a breathing apparatus which are to be carried on the back. When this is the case, the primary coil of the inductive interface on the portable supply module may advantageously be equipped with an open ferrite core.

The textile-supported supply line is advantageously incorporated in articles of clothing which may be part of the protective clothing of operational personnel.

What is meant by textile-supported supply line for the purposes of the invention is, in this case, flexible electrical conductors of any form which are suitable for supplying energy to individual electronic assemblies and/or for transmitting data and which can be connected to textile structures or themselves comprise textile structures.

What may be considered for use as inductive interfaces are, in particular, flat coils for the transmission of energy and/or signals which can be incorporated in articles of clothing. What may be achieved by selecting advantageous positions for the inductive

interfaces is that correct placing of the flat coils is automatically obtained solely by putting on or fitting on the equipment, which rules out the possibility of many configurational errors at the outset. The incorporation of the inductive interfaces may for example be into undershirts, so-called lifeshirts, which are equipped with sensors or electrodes, into items of outer clothing, or into protective suits or breathing apparatus. In this case it is often ensured simply by the shape given to the items of equipment concerned that the transmission coils will always come to rest at the same point and thus over one another. If textile-supported supply lines are incorporated in a plurality of components to be worn on the body, it is advantageous if at least one inductive interface in each case is arranged at a point at which there is an overlap with at least two of the said items to be worn on the body. In the case of protective clothing, this should for example be done in the region of the collar, and of the neck-guard of a safety helmet, in the region of overlap between trousers and jacket, or in the back region.

What are basically suitable for this purpose are points at which a plurality of layers of clothing are able to lie on top of one another without any appreciable shifts in position taking place between the layers of clothing.

When there are few items of equipment which are tied down in respect of shape or position, it may, in addition, be advantageous if means are present for fixing the position of inductive interfaces. These means may for example be hook-and-loop fastenings or other mechanical fastenings such for example as pockets, press-studs, permanent magnets, buttons or the like. Loose electronic items of equipment may likewise be connected to the system on fastening surfaces prepared for them which have coils situated beneath them.

If an inductive interface cannot be produced by the matched overlaying of articles of clothing, it is possible for a flat coil to be placed at the end of a narrow, conductor-reinforced web of textile and for the flat coil to be placed at a suitable point on a mating coil with a hook-and-loop fastener. A robust connection is made in this way.

It is also advantageous if at least one inductive interface is present which can be connected to the textile-supported supply line reversibly. In this way, the modular system according to the invention can be very quickly adapted to changing requirements, i.e. additional positions can be obtained for the mounting of further electronic assemblies which are to communicate with the central control unit and are to be supplied with energy by the supply module. What may be considered as electronic assemblies which have to communicate with the central control unit are, in particular, pressure sensors, movement sensors, temperature sensors, means for monitoring vital functions, means for monitoring items of equipment, cameras, thermal imaging systems, means for transmitting data to a base station and various gas sensors, though this list is not to be considered final.

The proposed system may advantageously not only be used for operational personnel but is also able to be used for textile bus system solutions in astronautics, in professional use such for example as for safety engineers or maintenance engineers or divers, in the sporting field for functional clothing, in the maintenance industry field or in medicine in the home-care field.

It may also be advantageous for the control unit having a radio unit to be arranged in the helmet. The bus system can then be put into operation when for example the

helmet is put on. When this is the case, due to the weight, only a small battery is arranged in the helmet for the start-up operation of the bus master. The main energy advantageously comes from a main battery on the belt or on a back frame.

Exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described in detail by reference to the accompanying drawings, of which

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a minimum configuration according to the invention having an inductively coupled bus system,

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a system according to the invention forming part of the protective equipment of fire-brigade operational personnel,

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a fireman kitted out in accordance with the invention,

Fig. 4 is a block circuit diagram of an illustrative system according to the invention which operates by RF communication.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a minimum configuration according to the invention. A textile-supported supply line 1 terminates at both ends in inductive interfaces which include flat coils 2, 3. An electronic assembly 4 likewise has an inductive interface having a flat coil 5 and in this way can be coupled to the textile-supported supply line 1. The other end of the textile-supported supply line 1 runs to a central supply module 6, which is likewise coupled to the textile-supported supply line 1, via an inductive

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interface having a flat coil 7 and an open ferrite core 8. The central supply module 6 includes an energy supply unit 9 having a battery, and a control unit 10.

The electronic assembly 4 may for example contain sensors for monitoring vital functions. The energy required to operate the sensors is provided by the energy supply unit 9 via the textile-supported supply line 1. In addition, an exchange of data may take place between the control unit 10 and the electronic assembly 4 containing the sensors via the textile-supported supply line 1. The control unit 10 performs a master function in this case. It actuates the sensors and co-ordinates the scanning of data. The supply of energy to the control unit 10 is via a direct connection between the control unit 10 and the energy supply unit 9. In accordance with the invention, the putting into operation can take place automatically if the central supply module 6 and the electronic assembly 4 are connected to the textile supply line 1 by their inductive interfaces.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a system according to the invention which forms part of the protective equipment of fire-brigade operational personnel. A central supply model 6 incorporated in the back frame of a breathing apparatus contains in turn an energy supply unit 9 having a battery, a control unit 10 and, in addition, a radio unit 11 which for example is used for communication by the wearer of the protective equipment with other operational personnel. The energy supply unit 9, control unit 10 and radio unit 11 are connected together electrically. The central supply module 6 has inductive interfaces having flat coils 7,12 which are connected to the energy supply unit 9 and the control unit 10. Other components, such as an ID tag 13 for example, can be coupled to the said inductive interfaces by inductive interfaces. In the present embodiment, the jacket of a protective suit is equipped with a system of textile-supported supply lines 1' which

also terminate in inductive interfaces having flat coils 2, 3, 14, 15. The jacket is coupled to the central supply module via one of these interfaces. Further electronic assemblies worn close to the body can be coupled to the other inductive interfaces. In the present case these are a lifeshirt 16 having sensors 17,18 incorporated in it for measuring heart beat and body temperature, a protective mask 19 having an display incorporated in it, and, as an option, an ID tag. The surface of the jacket has a region 21 which is prepared for the reception of a further inductive interface. In this region, a further flat coil may be connected to the system of textile-supported supply lines 1' via a hook-and-loop fastening system. In this way, a further electronic assembly having an inductive interface could be supplied with energy via the system of textile-supported supply lines 1'. Because it is not only the supply of energy but also an exchange of data between the control unit 10 and the other electronic assemblies which take place via the inductive interfaces, the system according to the invention at the same time constitutes a bus system which can be extended in a versatile way and via which communication by the individual electronic assemblies with the control unit 10 can take place, in which case the control unit 10 is assigned the function of a master. The control unit 10 has, in addition, a radio interface 22. Via this radio interface 22, communication is possible with electronic components which are unable to participate in the exchange of data with the control unit 10 via inductive interfaces. The protective mask which is connected in has a line 23 which is suitable for extending the bus system and which runs to inductive interfaces at both ends. In this way, further electronic assemblies, such for example as sensors or aerials incorporated in a helmet 24, can be coupled to the protective mask 19 and included in the energy-supply and communications scheme.

Fig. 3 is a representation of a fireman kitted out in modular system accordance with the invention. The central supply module has an energy supply unit 9, control unit 10 and radio unit 11 is solidly connected to the carrying frame 25 of a breathing apparatus. Incorporated in the jacket of the protective suit is a system of textile-supported supply lines 1', which system runs to inductive interfaces having flat coils 2, 3. The central supply module is connected to the textile-supported supply line via an inductive interface 7 in the back region. A lifeshirt is also coupled to the inductive interface 7 in the back region via a flat coil (not visible). The purpose of the connection of the individual components via inductive interfaces is for energy to be supplied by the energy supply unit 9 and for data to be exchanged with the control unit 10. ID tags 13, 20 may be incorporated by means of, for example, inductive interfaces in the chest region either on the protective clothing or directly on the central supply module. Capacitive interfaces may also be used for linking in ID tags. A breathing hose 26 runs to the breathing mask 19. In the present embodiment, the breathing hose 26 is also used as a supply line and also has, at its mask end, an inductive interface 27 for connecting in electronic components in the breathing mask 19.

Other possible ways of connecting in electronic components in the breathing mask 19 comprise, in accordance with the invention, the use of inductive interfaces in the regions in which the protective clothing overlaps with the breathing mask or the use of large induction coils, in the shoulder or helmet region for example, which make it possible for coupling to take place over a longer distance.

In the present embodiment, the entire system is so configured that the individual electronic assemblies are supplied with energy and switched on and are able to take

part in communication simply as a result of the putting on of the equipment. The system of textile-supported supply lines is thus a component of the bus system at the same time.

One advantage of a bus system of this kind is that the electronic components can, if desired, be placed at different points as dictated by where the component is less of a nuisance. In this way, it is better for a gas-measuring device for example to be positioned on the back than on the chest when crawling.

By construction in the form of a single or double ring-bus, greater reliability in operation can be achieved in especially demanding applications when there is the risk of a wire fracture.

The energy consumption of the central energy supply unit is appreciably reduced when not in use by means of the sleep mode. It is enough for brief test-mode cycles to be applied to the bus at fairly long intervals of time to check whether all the modules which are important for the instance of operation are connected in. If the complete set of important bus users is present, the power supply goes to the continuous mode. It may equally well be advantageous for the presence of a single important component to be laid down as a switch-on criterion for the continuous mode. In the simplest case, an important component of this kind may be an ID tag of the wearer of the equipment. This personal ID tag of a member of operational personnel is provided with an inductive interface and can either be coupled in on any desired surface or a surface intended for the purpose or is already built into the clothing or the helmet at some point, provided the articles in question are assigned to the member of operational personnel personally.

The identification of the wearer of the system according to the invention can take place automatically when the bus communication starts.

Fig. 4 is a block circuit diagram of an illustrative system according to the invention which operates by RF communication. It comprises a master module 41 forming a control unit, a display module 42 and a sensor module 43. The three modules each have a battery of their own. Passive RFID tags 44, 45 may also be included in a minimum configuration which is required for automatic entry into operation. The master module 41 has a radio unit 46 for external communication. An advantage of the RF-based bus system is the fact that in this case too the electronic components can be placed, as desired, at different points as dictated by where the component is not much of a nuisance. The automatic putting into operation of the system simply as a result of the putting on of the equipment is possible in a system of this kind too.

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Claims

1. Modular system of electronic assemblies to be worn close to the body, which electronic assemblies can be coupled in to a common bus system, comprising at least one control unit which is arranged to be able to perform a master function in relation to further electronic assemblies which are coupled in, and including electronic assemblies coupled to the common bus system which are arranged to be put into operation automatically if a minimum configuration of electronic assemblies is coupled to the common bus system.

2. Modular system according to claim 1, in which the common bus system is radio-assisted.

3. Modular system according to claim 1 or 2, in which the common bus system comprises a line system.

4. Modular system according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the electronic assemblies to be worn close to the body can be linked in to a central supply module, there being included at least one textile-supported supply line which runs to inductive interfaces to which further supply lines or electronic assemblies, which likewise have at least one inductive interface, are able to be coupled, there being included at least one portable supply module which has an energy-supply unit and a control unit, the control unit being so designed that it is able to perform a master function in relation to other electronic assemblies which are coupled in, and the portable supply module can be

coupled via at least one inductive interface to the textile-supported supply line in a way which makes possible the supply of energy to the electronic assemblies by the energy supply unit contained in the portable supply module.

5. Modular system according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which a portable supply module is included which has a radio unit which is designed for a link to other mobile or stationary units.

6. Modular system according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which a portable supply module having a telemetry unit is included.

7. Modular system according to one of claims 4 to 6, in which the portable supply module and at least one further electronic assembly can be coupled to the textile-supported supply line via at least one inductive interface each, in a way which makes possible the transmission of data between the control unit and the further electronic assembly.

8. Modular system according to one of claims 4 to 7, in which the portable supply module and at least one further electronic assembly each have an RF interface which makes the transmission of data between the control unit and the further electronic assembly possible.

9. Modular system according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which at least one further electronic assembly has a decentralised energy supply unit of its own.

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10. Modular system according to claim 9, in which the decentralised energy supply unit comprises a storage battery which can be charged in phases in which the central supply module and the further electronic assembly are coupled to the textile-supported supply line via inductive interfaces.

11. Modular system according to one of claims 1 to 10, in which a portable supply module is included as part of the items of equipment belonging to a breathing apparatus which are to be carried on the back.

12. Modular system according to one of claims 1 to 11, in which the control unit is accommodated in a helmet.

13. Modular system according to one of claims 1 to 12, in which the common bus system is incorporated in protective clothing.

14. Modular system according to one of claims 4 to 13, in which the textile-supported supply line is designed as a ring-bus.

15. Modular system according to one of claims 1 to 14, in which flat coils are included as parts of inductive interfaces.

16. Modular system according to one of claims 4 to 15, in which at least one inductive interface can be connected to the supply line reversibly.

17. Modular system according to one of claims 1 to 16, in which supply lines are incorporated in a plurality of components to be worn on the body, and at least one inductive interface is arranged at a point at which there is an overlap with at least two of the said components to be worn on the body.

18. Modular system according to one of claims 1 to 17, in which means are present for fixing the positions of inductive interfaces.

19. Modular system according to one of claims 1 to 18, in which electronic assemblies having an inductive interface are included which contain at least one pressure sensor, and/or one movement sensor, and/or one temperature sensor, and/or means for monitoring vital functions, and/or means for monitoring items of equipment, and/or one camera, and/or one thermal imaging system, and/or means for transmitting data to a base station and/or gas sensors.

20. Modular system according to one of claims 1 to 19, in which at least one coil of an inductive interface is equipped with an open ferrite core.

21. Method of putting into operation a modular system of electronic assemblies to be worn close to the body according to one of claims 1 to 20, in which method a control unit, which is so arranged that it can perform a master function in relation to other electronic assemblies, is connected to a common bus system and checks whether other electronic assemblies worn close to the body are coupled to the common bus system and detects the electronic assemblies which are coupled in and compares them with a minimum configuration which has been laid down, after which the electronic assemblies

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coupled to the bus system are put into operation if at least those electronic assemblies which being to the minimum configuration are coupled to the common bus system.

22. Method according to claim 21, in which the detection of the electronic assemblies coupled to the common bus system is performed cyclically.

23. Method according to claim 21 or 22, in which the detection of the electronic assemblies coupled to the common bus system is performed automatically if a further electronic component is coupled to the common bus system.

24. Method according to one of claims 21 to 23, in which the electronic assemblies coupled to the common bus system are put out of operation if, as a result of the uncoupling of at least one electronic assembly, the minimum configuration is no longer coupled in in complete form.

25. Method according to one of claims 21 to 24, in which the electronic assemblies coupled to the common bus system are kept in a current-saving sleep mode when they are not put into operation.

26. Modular system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and/or as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

27. Method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.